USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 70
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REDFERN, Marion, now deceased, was at one time a very heavy landowner and substantial agriculturist of Christian County, where he was widely known and universally respected. A na- tive son of Illinois, he was born in Macoupin County, February 18, 1832, a son of John Redfern. The educational training of Marion Redfern was gained in the district schools of his neighborhood, and he learned farming from hoyhood, adopting that calling for his life work.
He came to Christian County and bought 240 acres of land near Sharpsburg. Later he pur- chased 100 acres on the outskirts of Taylorville, and kept on investing in farm land until at the time of his demise he owned 600 acres of land, all in Christian County, and seven residence properties in Taylorville. This estate was di- vided at his death between his widow and six children. Until 1890 Mr. Redfern continued his farming operations, and then retired and moved to Taylorville, where he died October 1, 1904.
Politically Mr. Redfern was a Democrat, but did not take much part in party management. The Methodist Church held his membership, and he was a man who took his religion into his everyday life and was governed by the teach- ings of his creed.
REED, Frank, managing editor of The Daily Breeze, was born at Taylorville, Ill., July 12, 1871, a son of John and Mary (Will) Reed, natives of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The father came to Christian County, Ill., in 1857, and was profitably engaged in a shoe business until his demise August 18, 1893. His was the pioneer shoe shop in Taylorville, and he also owned and operated a similar establishment at Mt. Auburn, riding horse back to and from that place when it looked like Mt. Auburn might be the metropolis of the county. He was a Republican, and voted twice for Abraham Lin- coln for the presidency of the United States. He then became a Greenbacker. The mother survives and makes her home in Taylorville.
Frank Reed attended the west ward school. and after leaving school, entered the office of J. C. McBride, present Circuit court judge, when only eighteen years old. He read law under Judge McBride and passed the state examina- tions prior to attaining his majority, and as soon as he had reached his twenty-first birth- day, was given a license to practice. He then opened an office, and entered upon the work of his profession. However he had always had an inclination toward newspaper work, and in 1894 he and W. H. Kelly bought the local daily, then known as The Daily News, changing the name to The Daily Breeze, with which Mr. Reed has been connected ever since. The busi- ness of the Daily Breeze was incorporated in 1900; Frank Reed was made managing editor and has held that position ever since. He has now published a paper in Taylorville for twenty- three years.
On January 1, 1906, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Maude Cooper of Edinburg, a daughter of J. M. and Susan (Stier) Cooper, natives of Sangamon County, Ill. In politics Mr. Reed is a strong Republican, and supporter of party candidates and principles.
REED, Frederick, a prosperous farmer of Buck- hart Township, and one of the substantial men of Christian County, was born in Franklin County, Pa., October 20, 1834, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Gunter) Reed, both natives of
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Franklin County, Pa. The father was reared and educated in Franklin County, and became a lumberman, running a lumber mill in his native mountains, which he operated by water power. The product of the mill was sold at Chambers- burg, the county seat of Franklin County. The father spent his life in this county, dying at Horse Valley, Pa., where the mother also passed, away. The ancestors of the Reed family served in the Revolutionary War, and the grandfather was an Indian fighter, helping to drive the Red Men out of Pennsylvania. He located on a farm in Franklin County, and there cleared off con- siderable land before his death.
Frederick Reed spent his boyhood in Frank- lin County, and attended its schools. For some years he was associated with his father in man- ufacturing staves and lap shingles, and he de- veloped into a cooper of considerable skill. In 1855 he decided to make a change and drove overland to Springfield, Ill., to join three broth- ers who had already come to this state, Eph- raim, Solomon and Isaac. For a year he was employed by Isaac Flag at Rochester, Ill., and they went west of Edinburg, where he was em- ployed in a saw-mill, later working for other millers throughout the county, and also oper- ated a threshing machine outfit. Mr. Reed has always been very handy about machinery and enjoys keeping his appliances in order. As soon as he was able, Mr. Reed bought forty acres of land on section 8, Buckhart Township, to which he added until he now has 240 acres of fine land. In politics he is a Democrat.
In 1861 Mr. Reed was married to Miss Lucy Jane Franklin, a daughter of W. B. and Sarah (Jones) Franklin, natives of Indiana and Ten- essee, respectively. The father came to Illinois at an early date, locating in Sangamon County. where he was married, the mother having come to that county with her parents. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Franklin moved to Buckhart Township and entered and operated land, and also bought additional acreage until they had over 260 acres at the time of their death. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have eight children, as follows: Sarah M., John F., Lucy E., Ida F., Benjamin O., Frederick E., Grace J., and Ira E.
REEFY, Solomon L., M. D., now deceased, was one of the old and honored beloved physicians of Christian County, whose declining years were spent at Edinburg, although he was known all over this section. He was born near Elyria, Ohio, January 8, 1839, and there he received his preliminary education, Later he entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated. After looking about for a desirable location, Doctor Reefy came to San- gamon County, Ill., and after seven years, moved to Edinburg, and entered upon an active prac- tice. Subsequently he moved on a farm owned by his wife, six miles southwest of Edinburg, and lived there for eight years, but continued in active practice all that while, At the expira- tion of the eight years he returned to Edinburg,
where he died August 1, 1914, aged seventy-five years. In politics he was a Democrat, his re- ligious views made him a Methodist, and in fraternal matters he was a Mason.
In 1876 Doctor Reefy was married to Mrs. Matilda E. (Hunt) Richardson, a daughter of Charles and Susan (Range) Hunt, and widow of H. C. Richardson, by whom she had one child. Henry C. Mrs. Reefy was born in Tennessee, where her parents were also born, but went overland to Missouri and thence to Christian County, Ill., first living in South Fork Town- ship, but later going to a farm which they bought in the vicinity of Sharpsburg, Ill. Still later Mr. Hunt went to Kansas City, Mo., where he died. Samuel Hunt, grandfather of Mrs. Reefy served in the Mexican War, under Gen. Scott, and came through the campaign safely, but after the war was over, one time while trav- eling on horseback, was stricken with fever after hẹ had made camp for the night, and died in his blanket on the ground. Doctor Reefy was one of the leading physicians of Christian County, and had a very large practice, both in Edin- burg and the country regions. He also prac- ticed in Sangamon County but maintained his office in Edinburg, The Richardson family is an old and honored one in Christian County, as are the Reefy and Hunt families. Mrs. Reefy owns her home in Edinburg and 298 acres of land, and her son owns 140 acres of land, all in Christian County.
RICHARDSON, I. N. For a number of years the name of Richardson was connected with the mercantile life of Taylorville and Christian County, and the activities of I. N. Richardson are not forgotten, although he is now living, in honorable retirement, at the county seat. Ile was born in South Fork Township, Christian County, on the farm of his parents, July 2, 1847, a son of Amos and Rebecca (Viney) Richardson, the father a native of Christian County, Ky., and mother a native of Virginia. The Richard- son family emigrated from Christian County, Ky., to the locality in Illinois which through their influence was given the name of their old home. As they came in 1829, they are counted among the very early settlers of this region. Amos Richardson was born in Kentucky, Novem- ber 6, 1811, and was married in what is now Christian County, but was then a part of San- gamon County. He had four children, namely : Hester A .; William S., who died in 1908; I. N .; and Nancy J., wife of G. B. Crooker, who lives at Anthony, Kas.
Amos Richardson was elected constable. August 5, 1839, and sheriff, August 1, 1842. He was elected a member of the County court, November 6, 1849, and was very active in the history of the organization of the county. He was a forceful factor in the Methodist Church until his death, which occurred November 1, 1852.
I. N. Richardson attended the district schools of Taylorville for several years and during the winter.of 1858 went to the school taught by R. W.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Orr, near Edinburg. In the winter of 1859 his teacher was A. B. Leeper, at the same place. He then attended the public schools of Taylorville, his last teacher being the late John B. Jones. Hav- ing lost his father when he was only five years old. I. N. Richardson was reared by his mother, and worked for different farmers until seventeen years of age when he went into the Taylorville postoffice as deputy postmaster, which position he held for more than six years. He was then deputy county clerk for two years, under W. A. Goodrich, his father-in-law. For the subsequent three years he gained a practical experience in merchandising as a clerk, when he and Charles Oheney established themselves in a dry goods business on the south side of the square. Later Mr. Richardson became the sole owner of the business and conducted it for about eight years. Owing to ill health, he then sold and went to California, becoming manager for the Standard Oil Company at San Diego, where he remained for eight years, when he resigned and came back to Taylorville. On October 13, 1898, he estab- lished a dry goods and clothing house, umder the name of I. N. Richardson, and conducted it until January 1, 1916, when he sold and retired.
On January 2, 1870, Mr. Richardson was mar- ried to Julia H. Goodrich, of Taylorville, a daughter of William A. and Maria (Auger) Goodrich. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson had one danghter, Julia Bertha, who died at the age of eighteen years. Mrs. Richardson died February 18, 1871. The Baptist Church holds his member- ship. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. A man of sound principles, he has always lived up to what he believes to be right, and is held in esteem by those who know him.
RICHARDSON, W. Riley, one of the prosperous farmers of South Fork Township, owns and operates a fine rural property on Section 22, con- sisting of 400 acres. He was born near Kincaid. South Fork Township, January 21, 1857, a son of Harvey and Rebecca (Council) Richardson. The parents were both born and reared in South Fork Township, and the father followed farming all his life, dying in 1872, aged forty- five years. The mother died in 1864, when W. Riley Richardson was seven years old. At the time of his death the father had over 1,000 acres of land. In politics he was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Methodist Church.
W. Riley Richardson spent his boyhood in South Fork Township, and attended its public schools. During his childhood he lived with an uncle, A. M. Council, and when he became of age he came into possession of 105 acres of land left him from his father's estate, and added to it and now has 585 acres, and this he is now operating, he being a large stockraiser and shipper. Ilis is the best equipped farm in South Fork Township, and he specializes in raising Hereford cattle.
In 1885 Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Ethel Adams, a daughter of M. B. and Emily L. ( Russell) Adams, who died in 1906. In 1910 Mr. Richardson was married (second) to Miss Lea Adams, a cousin of his first wife, and a daughter
of Silas and Ida (Saunders) Adams, of South Fork Township. the father being an extensive farmer. Fraternally Mr. Richardson belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Elks. Moose, Modern Woodmen of America, and Royal Neighbors, and is a Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Eastern Star, Mrs. Richardson also being a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Eastern Star. As a protection to his stock inter- ests he belongs to the Anti-Horse Thief Asso- ciation. Politically he is a Democrat, and has heen called upon by his party to serve as super- visor of South Fork Township for eight years, and is the present incumbent of the office.
RIDDLE, John M., one of the leading farmers of South Fork Township, owning 160 acres of land, was born in Williams Township, Sanga- mon County, Ill., May 15, 1845, a son of James and Susan (Simpson) Riddle. The father was born near Belfontaine, Ohio, April 30, 1811, and the mother was born at Newark, N. J., on No- vember S. 1823. In 1819 when a lad, the father came to Illinois with his parents, and they spent some time in Washington County, Ill., but in 1822 moved to Williams Township, San- gamon County, and bought land. There both grandparents died. The father served as a sol- dier during the Black Hawk War, and in pol- ities was a Whig. His death occurred March 4, 1849, he passing away firm in the faith of the Methodist Church of which he was an earnest member. The mother survived until March 16, 1909, when she died on the home- stead.
John M. Riddle was reared and educated in the schools of Sangamon County, and at the Springfield University. Until 1875 he rented land, but on March 9 of that year moved to South Fork Township, Christian County, and has been on his present farm for forty-two years. llis is one of the finest country homes in the township, and is strictly modern in every re- spect. The house is lighted by gas, while water from a convenient spring is piped through the house.
On December 23. 1868, Mr. Riddle was mar- ried to Miss Sarah M. Woltz of Sangamon County, a daughter of John C. and Sydny R. ( Halbert) Woltz, natives of Shepherdstown, Va., who were married in Sangamon County. Mr. Woltz was a carpenter by trade, and an ex- tensive farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have one child, namely : Charles A., born December 12, 1869, who has served as township clerk one term and trustee six years. Fraternally Mr. Riddle is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His political convictions make him a Democrat, and he was supervisor one term, school director twenty-four years and trustee six years. Mrs. Riddle is a member of the Christian Church.
RIGG, John E., a representative retired farmer of Edinburg who stands well in his community, was born in McDonough County, Ill., July 15,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
1851, a son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Park) Rigg. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Sangamon County, Ill. When still a boy the father left Kentucky and came with his parents overland to Sangamon County, Ill. Here the father bought land, but later sold it and moved to McDonough County, and there bought another farm, and lived upon it until his death. The grandmother also died upon this last farm. At the time of the grandfather's death, the father inherited a portion of the homestead, and added to it until he owned seventy-seven acres at the time of his death, at the age of fifty-eight years. The mother died at the age of seventy-eight years. In politics the father was a Democrat, and in religious mat- ters he was a Baptist. The mother's parents were natives of Pennsylvania, who came over- land to Sangamon County, Ill.
John E. Rigg remained in McDonough County with his parents until he was seventeen years old, and then went to live with his mother's brother in Sangamon County, where he remained until he attained his majority. At that time he came to Christian County, and located three miles north of Edinburg, and worked for Francis George for two years, when he bought land ad- joining Mr. George, his original purchase be- ing twenty acres. To this he added until he had 130 acres of land, when he retired in 1911, and moved to Edinburg, where he has since resided. In politics he is a Republican, in ro- ligion is a Presbyterian, while his fraternal af- filiations are with the Modern Woodmen.
In 1874 Mr. Rigg was married to Miss Mary George, a daughter of Francis and Mary Louisa (Park) George. Mrs. Rigg was born in South Mill, Christian County, Ill., and her father was born in Mt. Auburn Township, but her mother was born in Kentucky. Francis George re- mained with his father until he was nineteen years old at which the he married, and op- erated the homestead in partnership with his father. Later he bought a farm in Buckhart Township, and then bought the Buckler farm, but sold it in three years, and became the owner of the farm in South Mill where his daughter Mrs. Rigg was born. Selling it, he bought a farm in Sangamon County and lived on it for fourteen years, when he sold it and bought a farm in Marion County, Iowa, where he spent a year. Returning to Illinois, he bought eighty-seven acres of land north of Edin- burg, to which he added until he owned 330 acres of land, and here he died in 1888. aged fifty-eight years. The mother remained on the farm for four years, and then moved to Edinburg where she died in 1910, aged eighty-four years. In politics Mr. George was a Republican, and the Baptist Church held his membership. The George family originated in Virginia, and the Park family came from Tennessee. The paternal grandfather. came from Virginia to Sangamon County, Ill., at a very early day taking up gov- ernment land, but later moved to the vicinity of Edinburg where he entered land, improved it
and lived upon it until he moved to Rochester, Ill., where he died. The grandmother died on a farm near Edinburg. Mr. and Mrs. Rigg have eight children, namely: Carrie Augusta, Lela Alberta, Ollie Park, Francis E., Adaline Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, Julia Ann, and Ewell Vance.
ROLLO, George, general superintendent of the Penwell Coal Mining Company, is a man who has risen steadily through personal application and natural ability. He was born in Fifeshire. Scotland, April 20, 1855, a son of James and Margaret (Penman) Rollo, natives of Scotland. The father was a miner in Scotland, and later followed that same calling in the United States.
Thirty-nine years ago George Rollo came to the United States, and spent two years at Knightsville, Ind., where he worked in the coal mines at that point. Leaving that place he was connected with the mines at Streator, Ill., for eight years, and then for the following eight or nine years he was in the mines at Mt. Olivc. In 1903 Mr. Rollo formed connections with the Penwell Coal Mining Company, and proved so capable and reliable that in 1904 he was pro- moted from the position of mine boss to that of general superintendent of the mine at Pana owned by his company, and has held that posi- tion ever since. His lifelong and varied ex- perience in mining make him one of the most valuable men in his line in this part of the state.
In 1876 Mr. Rollo was married to Christina Lawson, born in Scotland, a daughter of Alex- ander and Nancy (Smith) Lawson. Mr. and Mrs. Rollo are the parents of the following chil- dren : James, who married Anna Laing is mine boss at Pana : Richard who married Lena Rhodes, is a mine boss; George who married Blanch Burt, is in an automobile factory at Detroit, Mich .; Alexander who married Ann Laing, is employed in the Pana mines; Robert who married Mary Simpson, is employed by the Pana Gas Company ; Lawson who married a Miss McDaniels, is a resident of Detroit, Mich. ; and Agnes who married Ben Coe, lives at Taylorville.
In religious faith Mr. Rollo is a Baptist, and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. As a Republican, he has been on the school board of Pana for a number of years, and is now its president. His fraternal associations are with the Masons, and he is in good standing with that order.
RUCKER, James A., a prosperous farmer and township commissioner, residing on section 2. Taylorville Township, is one of the leading mell of Christian County, and one universally re- spected because of his personality and what he has accomplished. He was born in Buckhart Township, this county. August 1, 1871, a son of Bishop Emory and Lucinda (Schaffer) Rucker. The father was born in Sangamon County, Ill .. and the mother in Germany. After completing lis educational training in Sangamon County,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
the father engaged in farming, but later moved to Grove City, Ill., where he bought land in its vicinity, and operated it for some years. Subse- quently he bought 200 acres of land in Buckhart Township, Christian County, and lived on this farm until 1892, when he moved to Taylorville, and lived in retirement, in a residence he pur- chased, until his death in 1897; aged sixty-eight years. The mother died in 1893, at Taylorville. In politics he was a Democrat, and took an in- terest in local affairs. His religious connec- tions were with the Methodist Church, of which he was a member.
James A. Rucker attended the public schools of his native township, and in addition to as- sisting his parents in farm work, operated a threshing machine outfit. In 1898 he left the farm to engage in an agricultural implement business with a Mr. Dempsey for two years, but left in 1900 to go on the farm he now occupies, the birthplace of his wife.
In 1898 Mr. Rucker was married to Miss Isabel Davis, a daughter of Hezekiah and Au- drey Ann (Beal) Davis, who was born on the farm now her present home. Her parents were natives of Ohio where they married, and en- gaged in farming until 1865, in which year they moved to Illinois, locating in Adams County, and operated land in that section until they came to Taylorville Township. Here they rented land until they bought a farm of 160 acres, on which the father died in 1872, aged forty-five years, and the mother in 1915, aged seventy-nine years. The father was a Demo- crat. In religious belief he was a Dunkard. Mr. Rucker is prominent as a Democrat and has served as township commissioner for some time. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. while he is equally important in the Methodist Church, of which he is a consistent member.
SALLENGER, James E., a substantial farmer who is operating his 164 acres of land on Sec- tions 9, 10 and 15, Mt. Auburn Township, in a modern manner, is a native of Bear Creek Town- ship, where he was born January 29, 1866, a son of Lawrence and Ruth (Lawley) Sallenger. Until he was married, James E. Sallenger re- mained at home, and studied in the schools of his district. In 1890 he came to his present farm, since which time he has made a number of improvements.
On December 28, 1887, Mr. Sallenger was mar- ried at Springfield, Ill., by Rev. Zollars of the Christian Church, fo Etta Milligan. born in this county, July 27, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Sallenger have four living children, namely : James Roy, born April 17. 1890; Hazel, born May 17, 1896; Marjorie, born April 17. 1908; and Pauline, born December 19. 1910. Bernice, born April 28, 1893. died in 1906, aged thirteen years, and was buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Fraternally Mr. Sallenger belongs to the Masonic order. the Modern Woodmen of America, the Elks, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. and the Eastern Star and Rebekahs. Mrs. Sallenger belongs to the Eastern Star and Rebekahs. The Christiau
Church holds their membership. Politically a Democrat, he was supervisor from Mt. Auburn Township for ten years, and served the town- ship one year as collector. A man of energy and influence, he has easily taken a leading part in local matters, and won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is brought into contact.
SANDERS, Mason A., was for many years a very prominent farmer of Buckhart Township. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., June 26, 1853, a son of Henry and Emily (Rucker) Sanders. Henry Sanders was born in North Carolina and his wife was born in Kentucky. and they were married in the latter state, but went to farming in Kentucky until at an early day they came to Sangamon County, Ill., and later moved to Christian County, locating in Mosquito Township. Still later they went into Taylorville Township, north of Taylorville, and farmed the Reuben Wilkinson farm. After operating this for a number of years, Henry Sanders moved into Taylorville, and there lived in retirement until his death, his wife also pass- ing away in this city. In early life he belonged to the Whig party, but about the beginning of the Civil War he became a Democrat.
Mason A. Sanders was reared in Mosquito Township, attending its public schools. For a number of years he was associated with his father in farming, but later rented land and finally settled on the farm on Section 20, Buck- hart Township, now occupied by his widow. which she owns. This farm continued his home until his death, which occurred January 9, 1899. He was a Democrat, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Baptist Church.
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